John Cameron's personal blog

1. Changing Times

For several years, we have been in an environment of ever falling interest rates, as Governments have relied on monetary policy to fix the damage wreaked by the GFC.

However, while this has arguably prevented some really horrible things from happening (such as a world-wide depression), it has not succeeded in making good things happen. Now many are looking to more Government spending to boost economic growth. In this context president-elect Donald Trump spoke on election night of modernising America’s often old and creaking infrastructure and making it the world’s best. Depending on the scale, this would indeed be a game changer. If successful, it could also draw other countries down this path, as well as lead to rising (instead of falling) interest rates.

Ever since the GFC, economists have struggled to explain events, to direct policy, or to accurately predict trends.

Could it be that their models (theories?) are missing something vital?

According to Richard Koo, economist with Nomura Research Institute, the answer is definitely, “yes”.